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Insights into maternal mortality in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea
Author(s) -
Bolnga John W.,
Hamura Nancy N.,
Umbers Alexandra J.,
Rogerson Stephen J.,
Unger Holger W.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.08.012
Subject(s) - medicine , referral , maternal death , retrospective cohort study , public health , demography , maternal morbidity , standardized mortality ratio , prenatal care , pregnancy , pediatrics , population , family medicine , environmental health , nursing , surgery , sociology , biology , genetics
Objective To assess the frequency, causes, and reporting of maternal deaths at a provincial referral hospital in coastal Papua New Guinea (PNG), and to describe delays in care. Methods In a structured retrospective review of maternal deaths at Modilon General Hospital, Madang, PNG, registers and case notes for the period January 2008 to July 2012 were analyzed to determine causes, characteristics, and management of maternal death cases. Public databases were assessed for underreporting. Results During the review period, there were 64 maternal deaths (institutional maternal mortality ratio, 588 deaths per 100 000 live births). Fifty‐two cases were analyzed in detail: 71.2% (n = 37) were direct maternal deaths, and hemorrhage (n = 24, 46.2%) and infection (n = 16, 30.8%) were the leading causes of mortality overall. Women frequently did not attend prenatal clinics (n = 34, 65.4%), resided in rural areas (n = 45, 86.5%), and experienced delays in care (n = 45, 86.5%). Maternal deaths were underreported in public databases. Conclusion The burden of maternal mortality was found to be high at a provincial hospital in PNG. Most women died of direct causes and experienced delays in care. Strategies to complement current hospital and national policy to reduce maternal mortality and to improve reporting of deaths are needed.